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Route des Grandes Alpes (Great Alpine Road)

The Route des Grandes Alpes (Great Alpine Road) is a 684km long route trough the French Alps. This alpine road trip takes you from lake Geneva to the Mediterranean and includes some of the highest and most beautiful mountain passes in Europe.

History

The construction of the route started in 1909 in order of the French Touring Club. In that period, the Alps still were an isolated region of France with poor access possibilities. The construction of the route was not only an opening to the outside world for the mountain people, but also an opportunity for the upcoming tourism to discover this area with great cultural and natural heritage. The construction was finished in 1937, with the opening of the col de l’Iseran. The official road number is D902.

With the opening of the French motorways, the route has lost most of its importance as a traffic connection from north to south, making the Route des Grandes Alpes a spectacular road trip route. To make things even more attractive, some adjustments were made in 1995 to replace the traffic heavy valley of Chamonix with the Col de la Colombière and the Col de Aravis. The route ends no more in Nice, but in the smaller and authentic village of Menton.

From Thonon-les-Bains to Grand Bornand (93km)

We start our journey in Thonon-les-Bains, a small town at the shore of Lake Geneva. Lake Geneva is the largest body of water in Western-Europe, and with its length of 95km it greatly exceeds in size all others alpine lakes. The lake has a depth of 310 metres, which makes the bottom of the lake only 62 metres higher than sea level. To the South, we can see already the snowy peaks of the Mont Blanc, the highest mountain of the Alps. We take route D902 and head for Morzine.

The 2-lane road is winding trough the Vallée Verte (French for green valley). Rock formations, green bushes and trees provide some shadow against the hot sun. After 15km we reach the Gorges du Pont-du-Diable (Devil’s bridge canyon). This very deep canyon has been cut out by the Drasne River and provides some spectacular views.

Gorges du Pont-du-Diable

We keep following the D902. About 10 km after our canyon adventure we reach the ruins of the Aulps Abbey. This was a major Cistercian site in the Haute Savoie region for almost seven hundred years, from its foundation in the 1090s to its suppression in 1793. The church was partially destroyed in 1823 by locals for its stones, but the beautiful façade remains standing. In addition to the majestic ruins of the abbey, classified as a historic monument in 1902, the three-hectare estate includes also some farm buildings, cellars, a gatehouse and a medicinal garden.

Aulps Abbey

Eventually we arrive in Morzine, the most northerly of the French Alpine resorts. This charming town is dominated by chalets spread across a river gorge. Just before the town center of Morzine, the D902 makes a turn to the West. We keep on following the valley for a while until we reach the city of Cluses. There we leave the D902 for now, and start to follow the D4 to Le Grand Bornand.

Just after leaving Cluses, the road starts to climb. This is the foot the Col de la Colombière. With its 1613m, the Colombière is the first mountain pass over 1500m on our way. As we go higher, the trees start to make place for rock formations and alpine meadows. The climb is 16.3 km long. Over this distance, we climb 1108 m at an average percentage of 6.8%. The steepest section near the summit is 10.2%.

Col de la Colombière

After the summit, it’s a 12km descend to Le Grand Bornand, a ski resort who owes its name to the river which runs through it.

From Le Grand-Bornand to Bourg-Saint-Maurice (98km)

Just after leaving Le Grand-Bornand we arrive in Saint-Jean-de-Sixt, an authentic alpine village with lots of little farms. There we leave the D4 and take road D909 to the South. After passing trough some other little towns, the road starts to climb again. We are now on the Col des Aravis (1486m). On the highest point of the mountain pass, there is a little chapel devoted to Saint-Anne for the protection of the travelers passing by.

Col des Aravis

Still following the D909 while descending, we pass the beautiful Dard waterfall. The waterfall has cut the rocks in a V-shape throughout the years, which gives a very special visual effect.

After this little stop we arrive in Flumet, where the D909 ends. Flumet is a small village of about 900 inhabitants situated at an altitude of 900 meters on a rocky outcrop overlooking the confluence of two mountain streams: the Arly (which takes its source in Megeve valley and empties into the Isère) and the Arrondine (which comes from the Massif des Aravis, the mountain range we are driving trough).

Road D909 near Flumet

We take road D1212 and start following the Arly River. Just before we enter the town of Ugine, at the point where the river and the D1212 split up, we turn left and start to climb out of the valley. In Queige we take the D925 to Bourg-Saint-Maurice. Just after the town of Beaufort we start climbing the Cormet de Roselend (1968m). It’s a long 20,3km climb to the top with lot’s of gear shifting and hairpin turns, but the views are great. On the right side we see the Roselend Reservoir. Measuring 800 m long and 150 meters high, it can contain up to 185 million cubic meters of water.

Roselend Reservoir

After the summit it’s a 20km descend to Bourg-Saint-Maurice. The road number also changes to D902, meaning that we are back on the orinal Great Alpine Road. Take your time and enjoy the spectacular turns.

From Bourg-Saint-Maurice to Lanslebourg (80km)

After leaving Bourg-Saint-Maurice, road D902 passes the Vanoise National Park. Created in 1963, it was the first French national park. The park is bordered by the biggest concentration of world-class ski resorts in the world. There were once plans to interlink all these systems and resorts to create the - by far - largest ski area in the world, featuring over 1000km of ski-slopes. However that vision was ended with the creation of the national park.

Vanoise National Park

Soon we see also Lake Chervril (Tignes reservoir). After the second world war, France needed electricity and it was decided to build a hydro-electric dam in this valley. Whilst this was a great achievement for French engineering and was for the greater good of France, it meant that the old village of Tignes would be drowned. The dam was completed and the village was submerged in 1952. Once every 10 years the lake is drained for maintenance work and the remains of the old village becomes visible.

Lake Chervril

During this part of our trip, we only will be climbing and descending the Col de l’Iseran. With its 2770m it is the highest paved mountain pass in the Alps. It connects the valleys of the Isère River and the Arc River between Val-d'Isère in the north and Bonneval-sur-Arc in the south. During the climb you will be driving trough a number of galleries and tunnels, with a maximum grade of 12%. In total, the climb is 48 km long at an average of 4%.

Sign on top of the Col de l’Iseran

15km after the summit of the col we reach Bonneval-sur-Arc. It is listed as the most beautiful village of the Savoie region. The authenticity of the place is a wonderful example of what life was and what life in the Alps. Traditional architecture, urban planning and the layout of the town are rare witnesses of the traditional alpine lifestyle.
Bonneval-sur-Arc is also the highest commune in France, considering the average height, which is 2713 m. The village itself is situated at an altitude of 1850 m.

Bonneval-sur-Arc

20km further down the road we arrive in Lanslebourg, the end point of this part of the trip.

From Lanslebourg to Briançon (110km)

Beacause the road number of the D902 changes in Lanslebourg, we are now following road D1006 and continue to follow the River Arc out of the valley. After 20km, we can see the Esseillon Barrier or Esseillon forts. These are a series of five fortifications built in the nineteenth century on a rock outcropping closing the upper valley of the Arc to protect the Piedmont region from a possible French invasion. It has four strongholds and a redoubt, which bear the names of members of the Savoy family.

The Esseillon Barrier

Built between 1819 and 1834, the forts of Esseillon protect access to the Col du Mont Cenis, into the Sardinian kingdom (now Italy). Because of the Franco-Sardinian alliance of 1857, the forts never saw any combat, and were only used during the Second World War as prisons.

These fortifications were built on the model of Montalembert, which is based on a principle of perpendicular fortifications and cannon towers. The strongholds protect each other in crossfire. Four fortifications are on the right bank of the river Arc, with the fifth located on the other side of the river. A little bridge called the Devil's Bridge interlinks the steep cliffs housing the forts.

The Devil's Bridge

Driving further down the valley we eventually arrive in Saint-Michel de Maurienne where we leave the D1006 and cross the Arc River to take the D902 again. Immediately after the river crossing, the road starts to turn and climb: we are now on the Col du Télégraphe, the acces point to the north face of the Col du Galibier.

At the Col du Télégraphe we find another fort: the Fort du Télégraphe, also called Fort Berwick. Located at an altitude of 1,585m it previously accommodated a telegraph to send messages between France and Italy. This explains also the name of the col. The fort has two entrances with drawbridges. To allow access to different levels it has inclined ramps to allow easy movement of artillery pieces. It saw action in 1940 when it fired on the invading Italian forces with its 155mm guns. During the summer months the fort is open for visitation.

Fort du Télégraphe

The Cols du Télégraphe and Galibier became mythical with cyclists as they are often used in the Tour de France. The Télégraphe is 11,8 km long, gaining 856 m in height at an average of 7.3%. After the top there is a small descent of 4,8km to Valloire. The actual climb to the summit of the Col du Galibier starts there and is 18,1km long at an average of 6.9% (height gain: 1245 m). The maximum gradient is 10.1% at the summit (el. 2645m).

At the south portal of the tunnel near the summit of the Galibier, there is a monument to Henri Desgrange, the first director of the Tour de France. Every time the tour climbs the Col du Galibier, a wreath is laid on the memorial.

Col du Galibier

When you thought you’d seen all the cols for now, you’re wrong. After the 8,5km descent of the Galibier we’re at the foot of the Col du Lauteret (el. 2058m). This col was carved out by a glacier, this explains the easy gradient of the slopes by which it is attained. For this reason, the Col has long been used as a communication route between Grenoble and Briançon, and also for reaching Italy across the Alps. The summit of the lauteret is also a road junction between the D902 and the D1091. We have to take the D1091 down to Briançon.

Comments

Hi all, we plan to do the Great Alpine Road during the summer. We are going to do so from the 2nd of August 2012 onwards, using motorcycles. Any tips / recommendations / experiences to share ? - you are more then welcome.

Hi, everybody
Living at the french border of Geneva, I do this road every year with my swiss friends, in Caterham's car. The road is wonderfull. Doing it in july or august is absolutely NOT the best time.
Too many cars, cyclists, motobikes and caravanes: impossible to enjoy a so beautiful and unique road. The best time is the first 2 weeks of septembre. The road Will be all for you, no police, beautiful weather, and ......us !
The best time is beginning of september(until 15 septembre

What about in November? Is the road from geneva via mt blonc to Italy dangerous? We are driving from there to Bellagio. Never driven in Europe before any suggestions would be good. And we are not taking trains, we are driving. Do we need snow chains that time of year? And do we need to pre purchase a toll reader? If so how do we get one? Thanks .....

Hi,Did you manage to travel the Great Alpine Road as you planned.Myself and 2 friends plan to travel from Ireland in summer 2013 and do it on our motor bikes.We would like any advice you could give us.We might do some camping along the way.
Cheers
Pat

It all depends on how much you want to drive on a single day, where you like to stop, etc... On a motorbike you can do the whole trip on 4 days if you like. Our scheme is half-time driving and half-time playing tourist :)

Go in early September if you can Pat, as the roads will be pretty clear. August can be busy as it is the traditional French holiday season. I completed the Route both ways on a 1918 Triumph last year and it was just magnificent. The passes are not very steep, but they are long. Plenty of reasonable small hotels to stay at. Best advice: take your time!

I think it is, we saw some touring cars on the col's and they are even bigger than your motorhome. Maybe you just need to avaoid the col the turini in one of the last stages, it has some really sharp hairpin turns.

We have 6 nights in early june to go to the Alps. I read about this road, and I found perfect !!!
What do you think about this season : Is it good ?
Is it possible to go without all hotels previously reserved ?
Thank´s for the tips !!

We drove this route in September, 1959 when it was Rt 202...we started in Megeve and ended in Nice 3 days later. We didn't hurry, we really enjoyed the drive, no buses, no trucks, nothing but cars & smaller...and not many of them. I am happy to find out what some of the forts, etc are since we did not have that information when we drove. I don't know how many rolls of film we used up, but several. We traveled in a 1955 Mercedes 200 series. Of all our travels in Europe, we have always rated this route at the top.

If you need a motorbike and ride this great road threw the Alps, contact the office "Bike Trip". They rents the largest range of motorcycles in south of France: (BMW GS F700-F800-GT/ R1200 GS-RT/ K1600...) from Nice 's area. An office is located in Menton. This is a very good location to start your motorbike trip and spend also a few days and visit Monaco, the Corniches, Italy... 30 kms far from Nice airport. They deliver as well the motorbike, supplied with side-cases, top-box, GPS, unlimited mileage, lock... contact info@rent-bike.fr or +33 4 92 10 99 98

Hi All,
What a brilliant website!
I'm really keen on doing the great alpine road. Which is the best value GPS for me to use? I want to down load the route onto my GPS unit for the car.
I have a Tom Tom 1 but I'm not sure if I can down load these routs onto it, can anyone help?
Thanks
Tom

i've done last summer, in late June. The beautiful weather. In making a change for the grand canyon of Verdon, water and hail in buckets. In motion could be a problem but it was not. a beautiful motorcycle trip from Thonon to Menton. Recommend to all. Lorenzo, BMW R1200GS

I found your page by accident while searching for a nice route to cover with a motorhome with our two kids. The route looks rewarding but could it be too challenging with a motorhome? we plan second half of June before the school holidays in Europe so I guess it would not be very congested, right? I did not check for camp sites yet but I assume there must some on the way. Any advise would be much appreciated.

I would not recommend a motorhome, some parts of the road are very narrow and steep. When I went it was summer but we met several vehicles coming the opposite way on roads barely wide enough for one car! If you want to do this route properly, book hotels at each stop and take it at a very leisurely pace.

Great website. We are planning on spending 4 days / nights driving from Lyon to Marseilles through the Alps. I'm not really sure what is the best route. We were thinking about spending 1 night in each of the following towns:

Day 1 - Annecy

Day 2 - Bessans

Day 3 - Digne

Day 4 - Barcelonnette

Any thoughts? Should we spend more than 1 night in one of these towns? Replace one for another town not listed? Let us know what you think, thanks!

Hi, we're doing this route in a car starting 19th May, 2017. We have allocated 7 days , so we can take our time. We are starting in Annecy.
Can you please advise us if the route will be passable at this time of year? Also shall we need to book accommodation in advance , or when we arrive at our stopover for the night? Any information will be most acceptable.
Kind regards, Margaret.

First if all, thank you for the article! What do you think about doing this road in 2 days? I am really fascinated by the idea but 2 days is all we have...
I am used to long driving hours so that's not an issue, but it's really hard to understand how much time we will have to enjoy the views if we need to make 350km a day. In my reality 350 km is no more than 4 hours of actual driving but I doubt you can go 100km/h in the mountains.... Do you remember the average speed?
Thank you!

Thank you for a wonderful article .
We just came back from motorcycle /scooter tour
Of Corsica and Sardinia. (My husband rented a Honda
ADV 700) from Nice . We spent 2 days In Corsica altogether and
7 days in Sardinia. Touring the whole 2 islands. It was great.
Now , we want to tour the French Alps leaving Nice and returning to
Nice as well. Do you have any tips on how to do it.
Thanks much.
Jackie

hello, the way seems to be wonderful. we plan to do a part of the route in december, going back north from tignes to germany. Is it possible at all during that period of time and is climbing north much different than going south - stip roads, turns etc.?